Department of psychology

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about the Undergraduate Program

Q: How do I declare a major or minor in psychology?

A: To declare psychology as a major on the Kent campus visit the College of Arts and Sciences in Bowman Hall Room 105 to pick up the paperwork and receive advising about college and university requirements (regional campus students need to contact Student Services at their regional campus). For a psychology minor, contact the College for your major. Then, pick a faculty member in psychology to serve as your department advisor. The faculty member will sign the declaration of major/minor forms and answer any questions you may have.


Q: How can I pick a faculty advisor? Which faculty members do this?

A: All full time, tenure track faculty in the Psychology Department serve as advisors for undergraduates. Consult a list of faculty and their research interests  (or available in the advising office),  pick someone, and contact that person via phone or e-mail for an appointment. Note: occasionally a faculty member may be unavailable (e.g., on sabbatical). If you have trouble reaching a faculty member, please contact Jeanne Echnat in the Psychology Main Office (672-2166).


Q: I have a question about the major requirements. Who can help with this?

A: The staff in the Undergraduate Psychology Office can explain the requirements. You can also contact your faculty advisor.


Q: I'm not sure what I want to do after I graduate. I might want to work, or go to graduate school. Who can give me career advice?

A: You need to make an appointment with your faculty advisor. S/he can help answer these questions.  You can also read here about careers in psychology, and graduate study in psychology.   For general information about writing resumes, applying for jobs, taking the GRE etc., contact the Career Services Center (672-2360, 261 MSC).


Q: I wanted to enroll in undergraduate research, but my request was rejected. How do I enroll?

A: Undergraduate research courses (PSYC 31498 and 41498) are controlled registration courses. To sign up, you must first find a faculty member who agrees to allow you to work in his or her lab. You and the faculty member must then fill out paperwork (available in the Psychology main office), and a staff member in the main office will enroll you once the paperwork is completed.


Q: Some of the courses in psychology sound similar to courses offered in other departments. Can I substitute other courses for the psychology major or minor requirements?

A: Usually the answer is no, because the university explicitly tries to make sure that courses offered in different departments are not identical. Any requests for course substitutions should be directed to the Psychology Undergraduate Coordinator.


Q: The Psychology Writing course (PSYC 41990) requires permission to register. How do I get permission?

A: The writing intensive course requirement in psychology is a one credit hour required course that is taken in conjunction with one of our upper division courses. There is limited enrollment in each section, so it is best not to wait until your last semester to try and schedule the writing intensive course. To register you must visit the Psychology main office (ask for Jeanne Echnat).


Q: I'm a psychology major, but I already took a writing intensive course in another department. Do I still need to take the psychology writing intensive course?

A: A psychology major who has completed a writing intensive course in another department can often get the department writing intensive course requirement waived (it depends on the nature of the writing intensive course already completed). Even if the requirement is waived, the student must still complete 30 hours in psychology. Contact the Undergraduate Coordinator if you want to request a waiver for writing intensive.


Q: I'm a student in General Psychology and I have questions about the research participation requirement and/or my subject pool points. Who do I need to contact?

A: Information about the research participation requirement is on your syllabus for General Psychology. Contact your General Psychology instructor for information about the requirement. Contact the Subject Pool Manager at subjpool@kent.edu if you have questions or concerns about your subject pool points.


Q: Are there any psychology organizations for undergraduates?

A: At Kent State there is a Psychology Club, open to all majors, and Psi Chi, a national honor society for psychology major that has GPA requirements. Stop in the Psychology Main office (144 Kent Hall) for additional information about psychology organizations for undergraduates.